We’ve heard it many times since we embarked on our
elementary school library project. Kids here just don’t like to read. A library is a nice idea, we were told told, but don’t expect kids to actually enjoy
it.
Thank goodness we didn’t listen.
Thank goodness we didn’t listen.
Our first classes in the library on Tuesday were a huge success. The
fourth and fifth graders filed in first and greatly enjoyed the True Story of
the Three Little Pigs. They loved taking their shoes off and snuggling up for
story time on the brand new rugs, despite temperatures in the 90s. We discussed
the library rules then moved on to free reading time, which was a bigger hit
than we’d expected. For almost 20 minutes, all we could hear was the soft
whisper of kids reading under their breath and the sound of pages being turned.
Next came the first graders. They loved Kevin’s reading of
“Is Your Mama a Llama?” and energetically guessed the names of the upcoming
animals. They acted out the library rules and spent a peaceful 10 minutes
voraciously reading the plethora of beginner books — almost all in Spanish — sent by Government Hill
Elementary in Anchorage. No one seemed even remotely bored.
We’ll meet with the same groups as well as the
kindergarteners on Friday, then move on to the second, third and sixth graders
next week. For many of the kids like the one that caught us at the door as we
left, Friday can’t come soon enough. “I hope we get to read another story next
time!” she smiled.
I think they’re hooked.
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